09/16/2000Hudson Valley's Late Charge Comes Up Short Against SUNY Morrisville

Morrisville, September 16 – Hudson Valley Community College came out on the short end of a closely-contest Northeast Football Conference matchup today, dropping a 14-12 decision to SUNY Morrisville. The loss drops the Vikings to 1-2 (0-2 NFC). Morrisville is also 1-2 (1-0 NFC). With five minutes left in the game, and the Vikings trailing 14-6, Hudson Valley's Keith Hill (New Britain, CT) forced a fumble at the Morrisville 30. The ball was recovered and returned to Morrisville's 22 by Hudson Valley's Damon Wilson (Camden, NJ). Gary Jones (Ravena) then ripped off a 19-yard run and scored from three yards out on the next play, bringing the Vikings to within two points. Hudson Valley went for the tie, but Jason Owens' (Albany) pass attempt to Shawn Miller (Troy) fell just beyond Miller's outstretched arms,
incomplete.

Morrisville then attempted to run the clock out. With 16 seconds remaining, the Mustangs tried a 24-yard field goal,
which was blocked and recovered by Anthony Ravenell (South Boston, MA), giving Hudson Valley hope. Morrisville ended the game, however, by picking off a Hail Mary pass.

Hudson Valley's football program was established in 1969. At the time, Hudson Valley was one of only two junior colleges
in New York to field a varsity football team. Since then, nearly 300 Hudson Valley football players have earned scholarships to four-year schools and 15 have gone on to play professionally. The Vikings competed in the Coca Cola Bowl in Iowa in 1980. In 1996, Hudson Valley posted an 8-0 record, part of dominant stretch that included 15 straight victories.